Quote Originally Posted by Letters View Post
Fair enough. But he is, in theory, free to work. The public nature of his job and the press fuss make that pretty much impossible for him although with the nature of his offence I guess it would be difficult for him to find work anywhere.

That's a very good analogy

Where do you get 'practically unconscious' from though? There's a video on Ched Evans' website (a site which really isn't helping him) which shows the CCTV footage of the woman getting out of the taxi, walking in to the hotel, remembering a pizza, returning to the car to get it and then walking back in again. The frame rate is poor so it's hard to tell but she seemed to be walking steadily enough. I'm sure she was very drunk but practically unconscious is pushing it.

What I don't understand is that two men were charged with rape, both had sex with the woman but only one was convicted. If she was deemed incapable of giving consent then both should have been convicted. Maybe it's because she'd gone back to the hotel with the one who was cleared and Ched Evans arrived later.

Anyway, there are arguments why he should be allowed to return to playing football and arguments why he shouldn't. But a virtual angry mob brandishing pitchforks shouldn't be part of that debate.
Maybe she walked OK but drunk people don't always fall over! Normally when people are convicted and then go for the rehabilitation, they have accepted their guilt. Now it might be that on appeal the verdict is changed but until then he is a criminal serving a sentence. People like Steve Bruce - who I had some time for - are not helping the situation. If it is still in the appeal process, public figures should say nothing until it has been processed.

Unless he is cleared, I think any club with any sense will stay away as he is tainted goods and in this day and age, with sponsorship money being what keeps some clubs alive, they are not going to want to take him on.